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Phils talking to Rangers about acquiring Young

Phils talking to Rangers about acquiring Young

10/1/12: Michael Young launches a solo home run to deep right-center field to knot the game at 2 in the fourth inning

By Todd Zolecki
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MLB.com |

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said on Wednesday the Phillies had made progress at the Winter Meetings.

They got center fielder Ben Revere in a trade with the Twins on Thursday morning. The Phils could be close to acquiring a third baseman, too.

Sources said they were in serious discussions with the Rangers about trading for infielder Michael Young, with Young essentially needing to approve the trade to make it happen. If Young, who has full no-trade rights, says yes, the Phillies will feel a little better about their prospects at third base going into the 2013 season.

Texas is willing to eat some of Young's $16 million contract, although it is unclear how much. CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reported it could be $10 million.

Young is a highly popular player and is known as a great clubhouse guy in Texas, but his production suffered a steep decline last season. He hit .277 with eight home runs, 67 RBIs and a .682 on-base-plus-slugging percentage last season. The veteran hit .338 with 11 homers, 106 RBIs and an .854 OPS in 2011, so the Phils are hoping he can move back toward those numbers, even just a little bit.

It remains to be seen who the Phillies will include in the deal, but it is doubtful they would part with a significant piece from their 25-man roster to acquire Young, considering they just traded Vance Worley for Revere, Young's declining production and the fact he is in the final year of his contract.

It also is unclear how much Young can handle third base. He has spent the majority of his career at shortstop and second base, but played 25 games at third last season. Scouts said earlier this week they weren't sure Young could play there an entire season.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.